The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-12-18
A FESTIVE VETERAN.
John Swinton Has an Hours Chat with
One-LegRed Hero.

John Swinton Has an Hours Chat with
One-Legged Hero.
New York, Dec. III have just enjoyed
an hours chat with veteran one-legeed
hero of the war who is always an object Of
interest to New Workers, Gen. Dan Sickles,
who left his right pillar on the battle field
Of Gettysburg quarter Of century ago.
AS you look at Gen. Sickles il is hard to
believe that in three years he will reach the
age of threescore and ten. In his frame he
is truly ''stalwart of the stalwarts." He
is of great girth in the body and chest and
his arms look as though they could WELD
the hammer Of Thor. He has a massive
head, strong features, dark complexion
and an energetic expression which is in
creased by the fire of his dark ewes His
thick head of hair and heavy moustache re-
tain their pristine hue, and seem even darker
than they were in his younger years, but
whether this is owing TO the influence of art
or the generosity of nature it would take an
experienced observer to tell.
Over forty years ago this SCARED but
lively veteran of politics and war was in
the New York Legislature, and during the
bitter debates upon slavery that preceded
secession he was a leader OF the Democracy
in Congress. His career as a volunteer
officer in the service of the Union, from the
time he raised his renowned brigade until
the day he was MANNED for life, and through
the battles that were fought between the
Chickahominy and Gettysburg was disting-
ushed by the same vehemence and tonacity
that he had previously displayed in politics
and that were subsequently, displayed in
another field, about which less is known by
his countrymen. 1t was of this latter, and
especially of his successful efforts at Madrid,
when he was American Minister to the short
lived Spanish Republic QS69-lS14 to bring
about the abolition of negro slavery in the
Spanish West Indies, that he took occasion
to speak. / know that there are documents
upon this subject in the State Department.
at Washington, from which one of the most
striking chapters in our diplomatic annals
could be written; and it is to be hoped that
the chapter, which would bring to light a
remarkable but obscure episode in the
stormy career of Gen. Sickles, will not re-
main unwritten till his life has ended. 1t is
not too much to say that it was by Gen.
Sickles's pressure upon the voluble but
wayering President CASTELAR, that the
abolition of slavery in Porto Rico was
brought about, nor is il too much to say
that it was under the same pressure that the
law providing for gradual emancipation in
Cuba, which is now being carried out, was
promulgated. Furthermore, If Gen. Sickles
had then been able TO secure the desired CO.
operation at Washington, the Seem Of the
Antilles" would long ago have been under
the American flag.
Gen, Slckles is man of fortune BY
Inheritance, and knows how to enjoy life In
the fashionable circles of New York. Like
Gen Sherman, he is a favori-e on festive
occasions, and ranks among the best after
dinner speakers in the city. AS politician,
soldier, diplomat and emancipation, he has
played his part these many long years
among the important actors Of our change
ful age. JOHN SWINroN.